A few picks from here in Dublin

Jennifer Rothwell was born in New York, but grew up in Dublin. I really like some of her newer stuff. The fabrics she sources are getting more interesting and are put together in unique ways.


I mentioned Sinead Doyle in a previous post -- she was in the fashion show I went to a few months ago. I'm not sure these photos do her clothes justice, but I like the way she combines clean lines with busy patterns. She is the newest designer at The Loft in Powerscourt Centre.


This next one will have you wishing for colder weather. Designers Brenda Aherne and Helen Delany at Electric Sheep make me want to run out and buy a knitting machine immediately. They have taken the scarf and the bandana and combined them to make wearable pieces with graphic distinction. But they also do traditional scarves, sweaters, tee shirts, and hats! And I find the prices are quite reasonable, too.


Diana Orving has pieces at the Dublin store Circus, but she is more than just a fashion designer. You can check out her art installations on her web site.


I could go on and on. Dublin has a lot of fantastic designers! Obviously I haven't mentioned the really big names. Maybe I'll do that in a later post! Now if one of them would just hire me as an intern...

Fashion Evolution Fashion Bre ak Through Fashion Show

Thanks to the website Fashion Filosofy, I discovered an "ethical fashion week" happening here in Dublin called Fashion Evolution, put on by Fashion Bre ak through, in association with a group/initiative called t.A.D.C.O.I. (the artisans and designers community of interest). I was really excited that there were accessible fashion events happening here, because the price of the tickets to the Dublin Fashion Week show in March were simply way, way out of my budget at the moment. While I was unable to go to most of the events for this alternative fashion week, a couple of reasonably priced tickets (especially considering the cocktail reception prior to the show) did not break the bank.

The DLight Studios are conveniently located within walking distance of our house, so we decided to take a stroll there instead of taking the bikes (read: we actually didn't trust that our bikes would be safe in the neighborhood), and we found the building down a little commercial-looking side street. After checking in, we walked up a small staircase, through a door, and into a large warehouse space. While the place wasn't packed with people, there was a respectable enough turnout, and enough interesting outfits to keep my eyes occupied.

What struck me about the attendees was the variation in styles; there was no one "type" there. You had your more conservative tailored looks, punky styles, girly girls, edgy, androgynous, and combinations of the above. I quite liked that. I should have taken photos of the reception area and of some interesting styles, but I didn't think to pull out my camera until we were heading into where the show was being held.



The show featured ten apparel designers and three jewelry designers, with a wide range of styles. Sinead Doyle, who started off the show, and was one of my favorites, had tailored garments, a gorgeously draped evening dress, and used mostly high-quality wools. Her garments were extremely well made and finished. My heart skipped a beat a little for Bebhinn Flood's "puffball dress." I actually tried to take a photo of it, but it came out blurry! (You can see it if you click though!)

I really enjoyed the jewelry designs, though my pick, in terms of what I could see myself actually wearing, would be Rachel Swan, particularly the Link Necklace and earrings.

I could go on and on, though -- I really have good things to say about all the designers in the show. Here are the ones I didn't mention!

Katalyzt
Alice Moyon
Yvonne Ross
Lil'c Couture
Carol Doyle
Sophie Rieu
Lisa Shawgi
Shuttle Knit
Heather Finn